It was big news at the Vancouver Law Courts when we discovered Tuesday afternon that the B.C. government’s Civil Forfeiture Office was going after the Hells Angels to get the East End and Kelowna clubhouses forfeited.

The claim, filed Monday, says both properties – worth more than $1.2 million total – have been used for illegal activities, including trafficking, extortion, assaults and even have a link to murder. While the murder allegation is not spelled out, it appears to be suggesting that the Kelowna clubhouse may have had a link to the June 2012 slaying of local resident Dain Phillips. Two full-patch HA are facing a murder charge, along several others.

I went by the East End clubhouse Tuesday evening, but no one was answering the door. There appeared to be people inside. There was just one Escalade parked outside the nearby Nomads’ clubhouse in the 3900-block of Grant in Burnaby.

The bikers will no doubt fight this attempt to take their precious clubhouses, meaning a long drawn out legal battle is likely.

B.C. government trying to seize Hells Angels clubhouses in east Vancouver, Kelowna

The B.C. government is trying to seize two Hells Angels clubhouses in east Vancouver and Kelowna, claiming they have been linked to drug trafficking, extortion, threats and even murder.

The director of civil forfeiture has just filed a suit in B.C. Supreme Court naming 21 Hells Angels in both the East End and Kelowna chapters of the notorious biker gang, including high-profile members like John Bryce, David Giles and Jean Violette.

“The East End HAMC clubhouse and the Kelowna HAMC clubhouse have been used to engage in unlawful activities,” the suit claims, including a list of offences like production, importing and trafficking cocaine, pot and methamphetamine, assaults, uttering threats, extortion and “committing manslaughter or murder.”

The court documents say both clubhouses would continue to be used for illegal activities if left in the hands of the biker gang by providing a safe place for them to “conspire with each other or to instruct persons about the commission of unlawful activities.”

Criminal proceeds have been used to “maintain, improve or reduce the indebtedness against the East End HAMC clubhouse and the Kelowna HAMC clubhouse,” the director also alleges in the suit, which was filed at the Vancouver Law Courts on Monday.

“One of the main purposes of the HAMC. … is the facilitation or commission of serious offences that, if committed, would likely result in the direct or indirect receipt of material benefits by some or all of the people who comprise the HAMC or its chapters,” the claim says.

The director alleges that members of both the East End and Kelowna chapters do business that consists of “both legitimate enterprises and the unlawful activities described.”

The East End clubhouse, located at 3598 East Georgia, and the Kelowna building, at 837 Ellis Street, have “been modified, customized, and equipped to provide protection from detention, potential enemies and police infiltration,” the claim says.

The East Georgia property is assessed at $723,000 this year, while the Kelowna building is valued at $503,000, according to the latest B.C. Assessment Authority figures.

Police raided the East End clubhouse back in July 2005 after a major undercover investigation dubbed E-Pandora that made use of agent Michael Plante. It led to convictions of 13 Angels and associates for offences including trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine, extortion, conspiracy, possession of firearms and grenades and contempt of court.

E-Pandora ended Oct. 30, 2012 when a final charge was stayed against John Punko, one of the men named in the civil forfeiture suit.

The Kelowna clubhouse was raided in August 2012 in connection with another undercover investigation. So far, several men – including Kelowna vice-president Giles and full-patch member Bryan Oldham — have been charged with trafficking and conspiracy and committing offences on behalf of a criminal organization. Both Oldham and Giles are listed as defendants in the civil forfeiture case.

Also named in the new suit are full-patch HA members Robert Thomas and Norm Cocks who are charged, along with others, with murdering Kelowna resident Dain Phillips in June 2012.

The Hells Angels have 21 days to file a response before the director can ask for a judgment against the properties.

The director of civil forfeiture filed a similar claim against the Nanaimo Hells Angels clubhouse in November 2007, alleging it was being used as an instrument for unlawful activity. The case is still before the courts five years later.

HA spokesman Rick Ciarniello did not respond to interview requests. But he said in a media statement that he wasn’t surprised by the government action.

“It seems that in the last few years, law enforcement has taken a new direction. They now concentrate their efforts using civil law rather than criminal law,” he said. “By doing so, it is much easier for them to prosecute and to persecute.”

I don’t think the bikers come on here. The hang-arounds and young, young associates may, but not the Patches. There also isn’t alot of young, young men who hang around or associate, most of them are at least 25. The puppet clubs may have young, young men, but not the actual Angels. Also, many Patches had children, they would be the young ones you see, and their friends. The bikers wouldn’t come on here and tell what they know. I think that is the difference between the Bikers and the other gangs, apart from the Triads. They know how to keep their mouths shut. Remember, “even a fish wouldn’t get caught, if it kept its mouth closed.”

robert dont be silly situational awareness can certainly help in sizing up an assailant[s].But it wont save you when attacked.If it did police would not have guns they would employ only situational awareness.Also not everyone in the u.s. carries only people that choose too.Carrying a gun most certainly lessens your chance of being victimized.Some people are bad and deserve to be shut down pedophiles rapists and such others come to mind.I think canada would be better if victims were allowed to protect themselves with a gun.Or do put your trust in the police to happen to be there in every instance.You are truly one of the sheeple if the government told you to perform a riverdance every saturday you would probably do it.

Situational awareness tells you who the assailant is before he sees you as a target. The police’s job is walking into situations that anyone with a sense of awareness would turn 180 degrees and head in the other direction so of course they carry firearms. Carrying a gun does nothing but make your pants harder to keep up. That’s been proven time and time again in exercises conducted by law enforcement psychologists and every security training group in the U.S. You need extensive and constant training with a firearm for it to be effective. It has to become part of muscle memory which takes months to achieve. Strap the biggest hand cannon to your hip and that’s one more thing the mugger is going to take from you. I’m not sure what you mean by trusting the police to be there since their job is to investigate after the fact unless they see a crime in progress. Or did you just need to get that off your chest like the irrelevant sheeple/government vowel movement.

the point is that the police are not able to protect you.Self defence is a basic human right.Dont make up facts , a gun is a tool yes you need training.Dont believe for an instant that our police recieve the extensive training like you have discussed.Recently i was target shooting and witnessed 2 rcmp target shooting also, a man and women he women was unable to load her empty magazines because she could not muster the strength to push shells in.So i prefer to protect myself.The reference to you being a sheep was to show you are a dummy who blindly follows any law ,even if it is an attack on your freedom and human right to protect yourself.

Are you saying the female officer didn’t have the strength to load her own magazine? You’ve never witnessed the training course for the RCMP have you. Cool story Bro! If you think self defence starts with owning a firearm you need to educate yourself and get over your fears. Carrying a firearm does not make you and safer and the statistics have shown that every time they’ve been studied. That NRA kooliad must be mighty tasty.

whats wrong with cleanliness and order? or do you live in filth and squalor.Thier clubhouses are very clean and impecably maintained.They are more civilized than you know or do you think they drink beer from skulls.Retard

more guns less crime this is a fact.Handguns are for target practice and to protect good people from bad people thats why cops carry.Guns are what keep bad people from taking everything from good people.That is why police and army have weapons.Self defense is a basic human right regardless of our ridiculous gun laws that only serve to make good citizens defenseless victims too many pansy sheeple in canada.

While proceeds of crime can be seized by the courts during criminal proceedings, the Civil Forfeiture Act allows the government to request the forfeiture of property owned by people who haven’t been convicted – or even charged – of a criminal offence.

Just last year, the province amended the act to allow for administrative forfeitures; if a piece of property is valued at less than $75,000, the government no longer has to go through the courts to apply for forfeiture. Instead, a notice must be filed by letter or by a notice in a newspaper, and if the owner doesn’t file a dispute, the property is forfeited to the government without further notice.

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I just read this on another article on the sun. They can notify you by a notice in the newspaper and seize your vehicle ???? Don’t even have to go through the courts ??? WTF ?

so they lose 300k, wow, they will spend 10-20k fighting it then call it a cost of doing business and go buy another

you guys act like these are big blows to these guys, they don’t give a shit they just fight it cuz it makes them look more over the board, when they’re just laughing “hahahah we made 200m from talking about of that clubhouse and they’re gonna take it for 300k!!!@!@ ehehehheeheheheheh”

Robert your either a cop or someone that hates civil liberties, what happens to an MC can happen to you. They ( prosecutors) are setting the stage for every law abiding citizen that they feel the need to take their property. You sir are drinking the government kook-aid.

Revenue canada should do a complete tax audit.!What does their t-4 slips say , It brought down AL Capone and it will bring down the Hells Angels Drug dealing Club members,criminal entrepreneurs must keep track of their revenue and expenses somehow ,there is always a paper trail.If they seized fronted cocaine from the Colombian ,i think the Colombian will want their money regardless how it was lost.I like it when the police seize fronted drug ,even if no charges are laid ,hard drugs are off the street saving lives and the dealer owns money to someone.Keep up the good work police and Reveune canada,well done .

Whether you are a fan of them or an enemy, or just an interested observer, one has to see the inevitable end of the road for the HA. Thanks to media and internet, the public is more than aware of who they are and why they exist. Most laugh when told that they are bike enthusiasts who meet for camaraderie and love of the open road.

Lets face it, if you want to import massive amounts of illegal drugs, participate in illegal activity, or launder money….why would you wear a patch? Okay there is the respect in the underworld, but there is also the 5 KM wide target that you have put onto your back for “the authorities”. Its tantamount to telling the cops that you plan on breaking the law, just you aren’t telling them how or when you plan on doing so. Not overly sophisticated is it? With a little surveillance they catch you. Why? Cuz you chose to wear a target on your back.

I don’t think the wise ones at the top of the pyramid wear vests,patches or congregate in earmarked “badguy clubhouses” to conduct business. If anything, the guys in patches may unwittingly be providing the smokescreen desired by the ones who really move and shake.

In the interest of personal property rights, I hope the HA fight this tooth and nail. The charter is there to protect us all, and don’t think for a minute that you could not fall victim to the court of public opinion if the group that you called “friends” fell out of favor with the masses.

Soon church members will be called haters for their stances on gay issues. Whether you agree with them or not, does that give those who cling to the general consensus the right to confiscate their church?

@M.O.T.
Ah, no one is trying to stop them from associating. And no one is trying to confiscate the personal property of those who associate with criminals, just to confiscate the proceeds of crime. The associates, no doubt, can prove what is theirs – you know, receipts, etc. And the HA is not being tried in “the court of public opinion”, but in the court of law. Big difference.

One could argue that the rule of law is based upon the wishes of the general public which is closely linked to public opinion. Of course tort law is an extension of what is legislated. What is legislated is an extension of the wishes of the people/voters. Ergo, what is acceptable to the public, ultimately gets “rubber stamped” by the gavel of a judge. This is where the charter steps in and saves individuals and groups.

I am all for doing the time and paying for the crime. What concerns me, is an overzealous system, pressed for results palatable to the justice starved masses, hell bent on making examples and statements at the expense of individual rights and freedoms.

To quote the article:
“The director alleges that members of both the East End and Kelowna chapters do business that consists of “both legitimate enterprises and the unlawful activities described.”

So are we to assume that the crown is able to discern which part of the collection plate at “church” is legit and or otherwise? And if they are able to make such a judgement, without crushing ones rights, what will the application of such a judgement look like?

@MOT
How can the crown discern which part of the earnings is legit or otherwise?
How about this – if its legit, you declared it and paid applicable taxes on it. If you didn’t declare it and didn’t pay applicable taxes, its not legit. Seems straight forward to me.

I’ve known a few career criminals in my life (part of a job description) and none of them cared for or ever even read the charter of rights. The police trying to catch them was just part of the game. The smart ones built clubs and restaurants and never spent a day in lockup.

Robert, you would be shocked if you knew how many educated guys there are in the “underworld”. Guys with degrees from world class CDN Universities. Yes, guys with law degrees as well. Guys who are smart enough to remain low key, and cloaked in legitimacy. Guys who also know where the legal boundaries of the laws start and end, and how to manipulate them accordingly.

Our system of law tries to discern right from wrong, and good from bad. Its punitive teeth rely solely upon its ability to illuminate that which can be proven, and proven beyond doubt. Power and money go a long way to keep one from illumination.

The ones hidden in the shadows thrive in the midst of dummies who become career criminals. Those are the ones who fill the quotas, make the headlines, and make themselves available to the authorities as low lying fruit. Satisfying the public’s need for justice, and the law’s need for statistics and arguments for ever expanding budgets.

First of all, motorcycle clubs don’t actually do anything but move and run the products that the bigger groups demand of them.. Lucky for us there is a huge Ricco case against the club, and they are turning them to get to the Irish. The club has 50 members that all take a share of the pennies they make off of the small loads they move across state lines, all in the name of the club lol. Crazy chicks and in fighting seem to be the cause of everything. I just can’t believe they’re all in on ratting out everyone, just to save their motorcycle club. The head guy at the table is a major rat that is working with the Feds and CIA, to get the Ricco case tossed. Tune in next Tuesday for an update on what is happening!! I’m sure there will be lots of ridiculous action, maybe a chase or two, with a couple of murders for good measure..

Chris P, voiced ‘ the target on the back thing ‘ to me a few times…. also said there was a time, when 2 teams of narcs, 18 in total, were on him for 3 wks, some friend got a copy of info, narc conclusion— ” We no longer have interest on this individual, at this time…. LOL

There not to smart wearing a vest advertizing the are hard drug pusher and do not follow society basic rules, maybe in the 1960 it was about riding and brotherhood , but in modern times is all about crime and selling drugs, i bet most can not even figure out how change the oil in their motorcycle ,when you live in a million dollar home and declare 15,000 on your t-4 , something is up.

true really they are not a criminal organization sure people do things individually but they are not like sons of anarchy,which is fiction .Are the rcmp a criminal organization murdering people lyingetc

who cares what chapter he’s in, why do all you people focus on larry? big deal so he banged a lot of hot chicks and is the front and face man to a huge conspiracy, do you think it was his pimp hand that direct this operation?

let’s just say it was, well he got pimp slapped within a year, ask yourself about all the other large rings and where they’re getting pimp slapped? nowhere.

this is a matter of the cops taking notice to him because he is so flagrant and started killing many people, if they just did nothing his pimp hand would remain strong and his ass would be just as tight

you know they’re in jail right now saying “how the fuck did this happen ????” all stupid and shit like murdering ppl isn’t noticed vs just having someone die from an OD with your drugs

dieter, no not all true. If you inherit a house through a family death and let’s say you own another house which they think you are doing something illegal in, they can seize both houses and all your assets (vehicles, bank accounts etc) even if it wasn’t obtained through crime. This is how it started out in the US with these laws then they started expanding them and would seize your vehicle for a roach being in the ashtray. They are already doing this with excessive speeds. Them seizing your whole vehicle for simply speeding ? This is turning into a scary country when the gov’t turns to this type of seizures to fund itself. Who needs taxes we will just forcibly take peoples belongings who do things they consider wrong. Go ask any civil forfeiture lawyer ( I am family friend of one ) he says it’s scary how they are progressing with this law. Or go read a George Orwell novel.

ITS ABOUT TIME…..HA BC used to be a bikers club back in the 70s and 80s but now it is a home for low life drug dealing thugswho beat a father trying to protect his son with a hammer(kelowna) or roided out morons who begs for medical assistance when he is shot with the Bacon boy then as soon as he is better he is out there he is out trying to screw all of us again…..HA is no longer a club but rather a home for thug low life drug dealers…….send them to the shadows like the rest of the bottom feeders…..

It is about time they get these scum bags where it hurts. Take their club houses they are to old to play tree house anyway. The HAMC are yesterdays news, everyone konws they are a band of losers, and it is only a select few in our pathetic courts that refuse to ackowledge that they are nothing but a bunch of low life criminals, Good work but don’t stop with East End and Kelowna boot these jerks all out onto the street.

Wow can you guys picture the looks on bryces face when he heard the news LOL!!! They only have themselfs to blame, they got greedy and they started giving losers like randy potts and punko patches. If i was bryce and ricky c i would just retire its over. Those guys had their day and now its over and like i said they only have themselfs to blame.

I don’t understand why the cops are only going after a few clubhouses? Why not them all?

I also wonder who, ultimately will be to blame for the downfall of the HA? Is it Larry Amero with all his flash and bling? Was it the murder of Jules Stanton? Or was it just that they got cocky and arrogant and thought they were untouchable?

I reckoned Ha’s gonna take care of Sukh soon enough, Brown people can’t really fuck with Ha’s or the Asians in terms of organization and good business. heat bags will always pay the price for being heaty. Fuck you Sukh! Go Ha’s and Wolfpack :D

HA spokesman Rick Ciarniello basically, said in his statement or implied that the hells angels only exists to sell drugs .I hope the court seize all their assets made through selling drugs.A bike club does not murder its own member or other drug dealers.They though they were above the law.I once saw a full patch member beat up a women who own a member for drug she lost in front of 10 or 15 people and no one stood up to the beating this women took.The public should not be scared of these drug dealing scum bags.

racially insensitive? no Kim it is OBVIOUS . no problem it is off topic .. but like i said … icbc has the stats if u care to take a look . but noooooooooooo that would be too sensitive . they r breaking the traffic laws kim .. think of the tax $ not being collected via fines . fuck legalizing pot WHY not enforce the traffic laws . ridiculous

Despite your terrible grammar I will still reply. So when you watched this woman being beaten and were so appalled that nobody stood up for her, why didn’t you? And then you end your rant with…….”the public should not be scared of these drug dealing scum bags”. Can you say hypocrite???

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could file a civil suit against pain and suffering. That is their only purpose for existing.The amount of lives they have destroyed in the name of pure greed must be mind boggling.They force women into prostitution.The tax man should do a complete and total tax audit on every single member ,what does there t-4 slips say.The Hells Angel will kill rival drug dealers at a whim.They make and manufacturer the most dangerous drug on the planet methamphetamine and cocaine It’s made with Drano. That shit fucks you up. It’s just as bad if not worse than crack. .They conspire to sell drug and plan and commit crime from Hells Angels Club House headquarters .When you see them gathering in crowds call police so they can find out what’s going on.Time to run the scum bags out of town permanently.

As a law abiding citizen I believe everyone has a right to make their home as secure as THEY feel required…so the above comments are my view as well.In the USA there is currently a witch hunt under way…where “Survivalists” have even been banned from air travel.

look and compare the murder and mass shooting in the USA compared to canada.What is a survivalist ,someone who lives in bush and hunts for their own food.please explain what a survivalist is.I bet there were more murder in the USA while i type this , than all the murder in canada in a month.Handgun exist for one reason and one reason only to kill human being.Guns laws should be tough up in canada and a minimum mandatory prison sentence for anyone in possession of a hand gun.

I’m really just amazed on how Kelowna members kept all those incriminating things in the club house. You’d figure these guys would know better or just their age and lack of discipline showing in the ranks?

All all club full patch HA drug dealing club member has now is tattoos to look at and blow-jobs from other inmates. cocaine and meth are destroying our society & those who try to make profits needs to be held accountable with stiff jail time.How does it feel to be alone and scared in prison? I wish you could live a moment in everyone’s live your actions have caused torment to, and see how sane you are at the end of it.I bet one club member who got pinched will sing like a bird to cut a deal and testify to save his own skin.so much for loyalty.

Yup cocaine and meth destroy our community, now if weed is legalized the streets will be flooded with more crack and meth, you can bet your ass on this. Drug dealers will be pushing kids to convince there friends to start doing this drug, and our community which is still relatively safe compared to a lot of cities in america will turn to shit, property crime will increase. This is the ripple effect legalizing marijuana will have. Not mention the housing market will turn to shit. Vancouver will turn into a ghetto like detroit and chicago just so big box tobacco companies and politicians who are taking kickbacks from these companies to push for legalization can become even richer than they are now.

>The clubhouses have been modified, customized and equipped to provide protection from detection, potential enemies and police infiltration, says the lawsuit.

What’s wrong with fortifying your own place to that no one can spy on you? If I had the money my house would be a up to code fortified compound too and I’m a law abiding citizen. If the gov want’s to know about me they can get a warrant. If my fortified house causes them issues it not my problem.

Why not? If there’s a natural or man made emergency I want my compound to stand ground until I can mobilize my survival get away vehicles/equipment and head out of the cities with my family so the rest can kill themselves over food/water/supplies while we sit back and watch the mayhem.

Well you’re dealing with policies created by people who have either never been a crime victim, so therefore see no need for such things (can we say bulletproof vest ban), or view the world through a law enforcement prism so are mainly concerned with making raids less risky for police. Regular people trying to keep themselves safe are not factored into the equation. And this situation stands little chance of changing, because if violent crime rates ever approach a level where the majority of voters have experienced crime, there won’t be elections. For now and the foreseeable future, people who believe in the right of self defense are a persecuted minority.